Chair base



Filed Dec. 26, 1961 E. F. HAMILTON CHAIR BASE Sept. 15, 1964 3,148,855

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 924 FAQ/ mm,

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CHAIR BASE Filed Dec. 26, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY Z7251,F/h/v/Lmn;

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United States Patent 3,148,855 CHAIR BAE Earl F. Hamilton, Columbus,Ind, assignor to Hamilton Cosc'o, Inn, Columbus, Ind, a corporation ofIndiana Filed Dec. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 162,089 10 Claims. (Cl. 248-1881)This invention relates to an article of furniture, and more particularlyto a chair base adapted to be used in association with a swivel-typechair.

It is an object of the invention to provide a chair base which can beeconomically manufactured largely from inexpensive sheet-metalstampings, which is adapted to support a chair-supporting 'swivel rodand a plurality of ground-engaging casters, and which will have anattractive appearance, yet prove sturdy and durable in use.

In accordance with the preferred form of my invention, there is provideda chair base having a plurality of outwardly projecting, generallyhorizontal legs. Each of said legs is formed from a pair of channeledinterfitting arms on a pair of bifurcated members. Each of the arms oneach of said bifurcated members is rigidly connected to one of the armson each of a pair of adjacent members to thus rigidly interconnect eachof said legs. The apex of the interconnection of the arms on each ofsaid members is spaced from the apexes of the other members to define avertically extending opening at the center of the base in which anupwardly projecting chair-supporting rod is received. At the remote endsof each of the legs portions of the interfitting arms defining said legproject outwardly from the remaining portions of said arms andarerigidly joined together, whereby the space between said portions ofthe arms rigidly joined together and the ends of the remaining portionsof said arms define a vertically extending caster spindle socket inorder that the chair base may be supported upon a plurality ofgroundengageable casters.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe more detailed description which follows and from the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a swivel chair having a base embodying myinvention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, butwith portions thereof being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken on the line 3+3 of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line' 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, but withportions thereof being broken away;

3,148,855 Patented Sept. 15,, 1964 ice said members has a pair of armsdisposed at right angles to each other and provided with channeledcross-sections. Each arm on the members 20 is formed from a verticallyextending web 25 interconnecting parallel, horizontal upper and lowerstretches 26 and 27, and each arm on the members 22 is likewise formedfrom a vertically ex tending web 25' interconnecting horizontal upperand lower stretches 26 and 27'. The webs 25 and 25' have the same heightto permit the horizontal stretches 26 and 27 on the arms of the members20 to be disposed in overlapping abutting engagement with the stretches26' and 27' on the arms of a pair of adjacent members 22, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. In this manner, each of the legs 18 is formed from a pairof interfitting arms of a pair of the bifurcated members 20 and 22, andeach of said legs is interconnected to its two adjacent legs.

To interconnect the interfitting pairs of arms, the lower stretches 27on the members 20 underlie the stretches 27 of the members 22, and areprovided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced tabs 28 lockinglyreceived in a plurality of openings 29 formed in the stretches 27.Similarly, the stretches 26 on the members 20 overlie the stretches 26on the members 22, and are provided with a plurality ,of longitudinallyspaced openings 30 in which a plurality of tabs 31 formed on thestretches 26 are lockingly received. For reasons that will becomeapparent hereinafter, a plurality of projections 33 are formed on thestretches 26, with the upper faces of said projections being generallycoplanar with the upper faces of the tabs 31.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the webs 25 and 25' project outwardly beyondthe ends of their respective horizontal stretches 26-27 and 26'-27', andare bent inwardly, as at 32, and rigidly joined together as by a weldseam 34. Thus, the space between the. curved ends 32 of the webs 25' and25' and the ends of the horizontal stretches 26-27 and 2627 defines atthe end of each of the legs 18 a vertically extending caster swivelsocket in which a bearing sleeve 35 maybe rigidly mounted-asby welding.The sleeve 35 is adapted to receive the spindle 36 of a groundengageablecaster 37 supporting the chair base in an elevatedposition,Conveniently, the spindle 36 may have an annular groove in which acompressible ring 39 is carried to thus retain said spindle in thebearing'sleeve 35. e

Disposed over the remote end of each of the base legs 18 is a bumper 40having a top portion41 extending over the open upper end of the casterspindle socket and an end shown in FIG. 1, such a chair may comprise aseat 10 to I which back supports 12 are connected for supporting a backrest 14 .in an elevated position above and to the rear of-said seat. Thechair is supported on a vertically extending swivel rod 16 operativelyconnected to the seat 10 and extending downwardly therefrom forconnection to my chair base.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the chair base comprisesfour outwardly projecting generally However, it is to be understood,that my chair base may have any desired number of such outwardlyprojecting legs.

As shown, the base legs 18 are formed from two pairs of opposedbifurcated members 20 and 22. Each of portion 42 disposed around theinterconnection 34 of the ends 32 of the arm webs 25 and 25. Integrallyconnected to the top and end portions 41 and 42 of the .bumper 40' is .apair of side walls 44 extending inwardly over the webs 25 and 25' andprovided with inwardly projecting bosses 46 press-fit in openings formedin the webs 25 and 25 to thus releasably mount the bumper 40 on the arm'18.

Mounted on the upper face of each of the legs 18, conveniently by apress-fit, is a kick plate 48 having an inverted generally U-shapedconfiguration. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper faces of the tabs 31 andprojections 33 are generally "coplanar and engage the web of the kickplate 48 to support it in a level horizontal position. Conveniently, thekick plates extend from the apexes of the bifurcated members 20 and 22to points adjacent the remote ends of the legs 18 formedby said members,with the outer ends of said kick plates being received under the topportions 41 of the bumpers 40.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner, edge of the apex of each of thebifurcated members 20 and 22 is curved, as at 50, and is spaced from theapexes of the other members, whereby said members define a pair ofhorizontally spaced vertically aligned openings at the center of thechair base.

base. Disposed within the chair base is a plate 52 having a plurality ofarms projecting outwardly into each of the base legs 18 and rigidlysecured to the stretches 27 and 27' by a plurality of rivets 53 tocross-brace the members 29 and 22 and act in combination with the tabs28 and 31 and the weld seams 34 to rigidly connect said members, Asshown, the plate 52 is provided with an opening disposed in alignmentwith the openings formed by edges 56 of said members 20 and 22,.

Rigidly secured to the opening in the plate 52, as by welding or anysuitable mechanical means, is a sleeve 54 projecting above and below thebase legs 13 and carrying the swivel rod 16, said sleeve being providedwith a key 55 received in a vertically extendingslot formed in theswivel rod 16. The upper end of the sleeve 54 has an annular outwardlyprojecting flange 56 upon which a pair of washers S and 57 are carried,the washer 57 having an inwardly extending key 59 received in saidvertically extending slot in the swivel rod 16. The washer 57 supports acap 60 having an axially extending opening in which the swivel rod 16 isthreadably received. An inverted cup 62 is disposed over the upper endof the sleeve 54, and is provided with an opening, the edges of whichare received in an annular groove 63 formed in the outer face of the cap60. A pair of screws 64 are mounted in the vertically extending cup sidewalls to engage the lower face of the sleeve flange 56, whereby saidscrews 64 and the edges of the cup received in the groove 63 retain thecup 62 in operative position on the upper end of the sleeve 54. It willthus be apparent, that by rotating the cap 6% on the rod 16, said rodwill be raised and lowered Within the sleeve 54 to effect at raising andlowering of the chair seat relative to the Conveniently, the engagingfaces of the cap 60 and washer 57 are provided with mating projectionsand recesses (not shown) which serve as indexing means for the raisingand lowering of said chair seat.

I claim:

1. In an article of furniture,

(a) a base having a plurality of outwardly projecting,

generally horizontal legs, j

(b) each of said legs comprising a pair of interfitting channeled armson a pair of bifurcated members,

(c) means on each of said arms for rigidly connecting said arm to thearm with which it is interfit,

(d) the arms on each of said members being interfit with one of the armson each of a pairof adjacent members, whereby all of said legs arerigidly interconnected, and

(e) said members defining a pair of aligned vertically spaced openingsat the center of said base for the reception of an upwardly projectingchair-supporting rod.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that a (a) avertically extending opening is formed. in said members at each of saidlegs adjacent the remote end thereof, and r (b) the upwardly projectingspindle of a caster is rotatably received in said opening.

3. In an article of furniture,

(a) a base having a plurality of outwardly projecting,

generally horizontal legs,

(b) each of said legs being formed from a pair of interfitting rigidlyconnected arms on a pair of adjacent bifurcated members, i

(c) the arms on each of said members being rigidly connected to one ofthe arms on each of a pair of adjacent members for rigidlyinterconnecting said plurality of legs, and

(d) the apex of the interconnection of the arms on each of saidbifurcated members being spaced from the apexes of the other bifurcatedmembers to define a vertically extending opening at the center a 43: ofsaid base for the reception of an upwardly projecting chair-supportingrod;

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 with the addition that (a)each'of said arms has a vertically extending web interconnecting a pairof generally horizontal stretches which are rigidly connected to thestretches of the adjacent arm of an adjacent member, and

(b) the webs on each pair of adjacent interfitting arms projectoutwardly beyond said horizontal stretches and are rigidly joinedtogether at their ends, whereby the space between said stretches and theconnected ends of said webs defines a vertically extending casterspindle socket.

5. In an article of furniture,

(a) a base having a plurality of outwardly projecting,

generally horizontal legs,

(12) each of said legs being formed'frorn a pair of interfitting rigidlyconnected arms on a pair of adjacent bifurcated members,

(0) each of said arms including a vertically extendin webinterconnecting generally horizontal upper and lower stretches with thestretches on one of said pair of arms abutting the stretches on theother of said pair of arms in face-to-face relationship,

' (d) at least one of the stretches on each of said arms having tabslockingly received in openings formed in stretches of the arm againstwhich it abuts to rigidly connect each pair of said interfittingleg-forming arms,

(e) the arms on each of said members being rigidly connected to one ofthe arms on each of a pair of adjacent members for rigidlyinterconnecting said plurality of legs,

(f) the apex of the interconnection of the arms on each of saidbifurcated members being spaced from theapexes of the other bifurcatedmembers to define a vertically extending opening at the center of saidbase for the reception of an upwardly projecting chair-supporting rod,and

g) a plate rigidly connected to the abutting stretches of said membersin each of said arms and having an opening disposed in alignment withsaid vertically extending opening for the reception of saidchairsupporting rod 6. In an article of furniture,

(a) a base having a plurality of outwardly projecting,

generally horizontal legs, y

(b) each of said legs being formed from a pair of interfitting arms on apair of bifurcated members,

(c) each of said arms including a vertical webinterconnecting upper andlower horizontal stretches abutting the upper and lower stretches of theadjacent arm on an adjacent member in face-to-face relationship,

(d) a plurality of longitudinallyspaced tabs formed on at least one ofthe stretches'in each pair of abutting stretches lockingly received inopenings formed in the other stretch in said pair of abutting stretches,

to rigidly connect each of said members to the next adjacent member, (e)the apex of the interconnection of the arms on each of said bifurcatedmembers being spaced from the apexes of the other bifurcated members todefine a vertically extending opening at the center of said base for thereception of an upwardly projecting chair-supporting rod,

(f) a plate rigidly connected to the abutting stretches of. said membersin each of said arms and having an opening disposed in alignment withsaid vertically extending opening for the reception of saidchairsuppor'ting rod, and (g) the webs on each pair of interfitting armsprojecting outwardly beyond said horizontal stretches and rigidly joinedtogether, whereby the space between said stretches and the connectedwebs forms a vertically extending caster spindle socket.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 with the addition that (a) anelongated kick plate having an inverted U- shaped cross-section ismounted on each of said legs over said abutting upper arm stretches.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 6 with the addition that (a) abumper is received over the outer end of each of said legs,

(b) said bumper having an end portion disposed, over the connection ofsaid webs, a top portion disposed over the upper end of said casterspindle socket, and a pair of side portions having inwardly directedprojections received in openings formed in said webs for mounting thebumper on said leg.

9. In an article of furniture,

(a) a base having a plurality of outwardly projecting,

generally horizontal legs,

(b) each of said legs compris ng a pair of interfitting channeled armson a pair of bifurcated members, (0) each of said arms including avertically extending web interconnecting generally horizontal upper andlower stretches with the stretches on one of said pair of arms abuttingthe stretches on the other of said pair of arms in face-to-facerelationship,

(d) at least one of the stretches on each of said arms having tabslockingly received in openings formed in stretches of the arm againstwhich it abuts to rigidly connect each pair of said interfittingleg-forming arms, and

(e) a plate having a plurality of extensions projecting into said legsand rigidly connected to the stretches on said arms for cross-bracingand interconnecting said legs.

10. In an article of furniture,

(a) a base having a plurality of outwardly projecting,

generally horizontal legs,

(b) each of said legs comprising a pair of interfitting channeled armson a pair of bifurcated members,

(0) means on each of said arms for rigidly connecting said arm to thearm with which it is interfit,

(d) the arms on each of said members being interfit with one of the armson each of a pair of adjacent members, whereby all of said legs arerigidly interconnected,

(e) said members defining a pair of aligned vertically extendingopenings at the center of said base, and

(f) a vertically extending sleeve carried in said pair of openings andrigidly secured to said base, said sleeve being adapted to receive andsupport a vertically extending chair-supporting rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,709,446 Travers Apr. 16, 1929 2,350,399 Jones June 6, 1944 2,732,157Hamilton Jan. 24, 1956

1. IN AN ARTICLE OF FURNITURE, (A) A BASE HAVING A PLURALITY OFOUTWARDLY PROJECTING GENERALLY HORIZONTAL LEGS, (B) EACH OF SAID LEGSCOMPRISING A PAIR OF INTERFITTING CHANNELED ARMS ON A PAIR OF BIFURCATEDMEMBERS, (C) MEANS ON EACH OF SAID ARMS FOR RIGIDLY CONNECTING SAID ARMTO THE ARM WITH WHICH IT IS INTERFIT, (D) THE ARMS ON EACH OF SAIDMEMBERS BEING INTERFIT WITH ONE OF THE ARMS ON EACH OF A PAIR OFADJACENT MEMBERS, WHEREBY ALL OF SAID LEGS ARE RIGIDLY INTERCONNECTED,AND